K. PADMAJA, R. RAMAMURTI AND A. R. K. PRASAD
Abstract
A gradual increase in the mortality of chick embryos was observed with increasing selenium concentration. The mortality rate was 80% and 20% with 37.5 in mots of selenium concentration in 4th and 14th day treated chick embryos, respectively. Selenium exposure induces general retardation in development, this was found to be dependent more upon the age at which injection was given than Upon selenium concentration. The distribution of selenium was found to be dependent on the amount of 75Se injected and the time between the administraton and study. Significant accumulation of 75Se was observed after 24 h of 75Se administration and the pattern of distribution was found to be in the order of liver > heart > brain > eyes. Multiple gross malformations of the eyes, beak, brain and feet are often observed. Malformations observed with selenium treatment confirm selenium as a teratogenic agent.